Who painted The Bear Assaulted by the Peasants?

The Bear Assaulted by the Peasants was painted by Allart van Everdingen in 1650.

Where can I see The Bear Assaulted by the Peasants?

The Bear Assaulted by the Peasants is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Bear Assaulted by the Peasants?

The Bear Assaulted by the Peasants is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Bear Assaulted by the Peasants

Allart van Everdingen , 1650

The Bear Assaulted by the Peasants is an ink print by the Baroque artist Allart van Everdingen. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1650 by Dutch artist Allart van Everdingen, this etching presents a violent encounter in a rural setting. A bear, reared on its hind legs, dominates the composition as a group of peasants surrounds it, brandishing sticks and clubs. The work captures a moment of chaos and confrontation, rendered in the stark contrasts characteristic of early modern printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays a bear under assault by local villagers, suggesting themes of human versus nature and communal defense. The peasants’ simple attire and the animal’s detailed fur emphasize the everyday reality of the scene, while the frantic gestures hint at fear, aggression, and perhaps a collective response to a threatening wild creature.

Technique & Style

Sharp contours define the bear’s musculature, while cross‑hatching creates depth in the surrounding foliage and the villagers’ clothing.

Van Everdingen employed the etching process, incising fine lines into a metal plate to achieve intricate detail and tonal variation. Sharp contours define the bear’s musculature, while cross‑hatching creates depth in the surrounding foliage and the villagers’ clothing. The dense network of lines generates a busy, dramatic atmosphere, directing the viewer’s eye toward the upright bear as the focal point.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to van Everdingen’s oeuvre of etchings and mezzotints produced during the Dutch Golden Age, a period noted for its prolific print culture. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been documented in several 19th‑century catalogues of Dutch prints, confirming its attribution and approximate date of creation.

Artist & collection

Artist

Allart van Everdingen

Allaert van Everdingen (Dutch pronunciation: ; bapt. 18 June 1621 – 8 November 1675 (buried)), was a Dutch Golden Age painter and printmaker in etching and mezzotint.